Male-pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is a common hair loss condition in men. It typically starts with a receding hairline at the temples and progresses to hair loss on the crown, forming a horseshoe-shaped pattern. This condition is caused by genetics and hormones and affects up to 85% of men by the age of 50.
Previous research on male pattern hair loss has found that it is linked to various common genetic variations.
Exploring Beyond the Common: Unraveling Rare Genetic Variants
New research, spearheaded by the University Hospital of Bonn, Germany, has gone beyond the examination of common genetic variations and has included rarer ones to enhance our understanding of this condition.
Researchers in human genetics at the University Hospital of Bonn (UKB) and the Transdisciplinary Research Unit “Life & Health” have conducted a comprehensive study to explore the potential role of rare genetic variants in this disorder.
To find out more, scientists looked at the genes of 72,469 men between 39 and 82 years old in the UK Biobank project. They discovered rare genetic variants in five genes: EDA2R, WNT10A, HEPH, CEPT1, and EIF3F.
EDA2R and WNT10A were already thought to be linked to the condition, but this study confirmed that they were important even as rare gene differences.
Turning Insights into Solutions: Personalized Treatments on the Horizon
The researchers now want to use what they’ve learned to make better, individualized treatments for men who have inherited hair loss.
